http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=F ... wtopic&f=6


By Jon Ralston / Staff Writer

It would have been foolish to expect the immigration fever that gripped Campaign '06 to abate after Election Day.

From the Beltway to Carson City and, of course, Pahrump, the issue will not die. People are both justifiably and unjustifiably concerned about the issue and politicians are justifiably and unjustifiably responding.

The elected officials know what polls say about illegal immigration - it is top of mind among voters, so therefore, it has to be at the summit of their agenda.

So no one should be shocked, amid the mania infecting Pahrump, that freshman Assemblyman Ty Cobb has proposed banning illegal immigrants from receiving most state benefits, including Millennium Scholarships.

On the surface, this idea should bring much head-nodding. These people are criminals, so why should they be entitled to suckle on the state teat?

But this is yet another classic example of lawmakers trying to make policy by anecdote, long before they have gathered the facts to know what the policy range should be. As others did amid the hyperventilating during the campaign, Cobb said he believes the cost of illegals in Nevada stealing these benefits is in the millions of dollars. Really?

And the evidence is ... so far, nonexistent. But it surely sounds appealing, doesn't it?

Hence the problem with any complex issue that is reduced to sound bites - English should be the official language, deny illegals government benefits. That is the nub of the approaches, especially by opportunistic state lawmakers, to a federal problem that has been massaged for years without any real solution.

The illegal immigration conundrum is especially problematic in a state such as Nevada, where undocumented residents make up a significant percentage of the workforce, especially in the construction industry. But how many are there? The approach seems to be: We don't know, so let's make policy.

But lawmakers have a greater responsibility than to make policy based on facts, not anecdotal horror stories. They have a duty not to fan the flames of hatred and racism that have provided some of the hot air that keeps the issue aloft in the polls.

Yes, the word "racist" is tossed around too glibly in this debate. Some people - and some businesses - have legitimate concerns about illegal immigrants. They are not racists. But those, including some in Pahrump who would claim that Hispanics don't want to be Americans and must be compelled to speak English and to register with the government, are hate-mongers sowing the seeds of unrest.

It remains to be seen how much of this will course through the Gang of 63 next year. We saw a preview of the Millennium Scholarship/illegals debate in 2005. It was spirited and sometimes emotional, and the R-word was whispered about anyone who did not support giving illegals the scholarships.

Fine. Let's have the debate again.

But here's a suggestion: Before Cobb and others start making pronouncements, why not have a study done to see what the impact is on the economy? That is, let's not just find out how much illegals are taxing the system. Let's ferret out how many employers are exploiting the illegals in their enterprises.

Business groups should lead the way in demanding this kind of accountability in legislation. I know it's a novel concept for Carson City — thinking before introducing bills. But on an issue this complicated and incendiary, it's worth a try.
In Business commentator Jon Ralston also hosts the news discussion program "Face to Face With Jon Ralston" on Las Vegas ONE, publishes the daily e-mail newsletter "RalstonFlash.com" and writes columns and a political notebook for the Las Vegas Sun. To subscribe to Flash, go to www.RalstonFlash.com, or call 990-2550. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or by e-mail at ralston@vegas.com.